Priest and nun face off in ‘Doubt’

PROVIDED
Jeff Roush portrays Father Flynn is the Carrollwood Players adaptation of "Doubt." Set in the Bronx in the fictional St. Nicholas parochial school during the fall of 1964, "Doubt" is a story of suspicion cast on a priestís behavior and what happens when others take matters into their own hands.

BY DEBORAH BOSTOCK-KelleySpecial Correspondent

Published: November 5, 2014

Updated: November 5, 2014 at 02:50 PM

Opening Thursday, Nov. 6 and closing just six performances later, Carrollwood Players Theatre, 4333 Gunn Highway, is treating its patrons to a limited engagement that is a powerful, controversial, and thought-provoking dramatic performance.

The cast is comprised of Amy C. Ragg as Sister Aloysius, Kymberli Welch as Mrs. Muller, Jen Martin as Sister James, and Jeff Roush as Father Flynn.

Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize, John Patrick Shanley’s play is set in the Bronx in the fictional Saint Nicholas parochial school during the fall of 1964. It is a riveting story of suspicion cast on Father Flynn’s behavior and what happens when Sister Aloysius takes matters into her own hands.

Though set in 1964, the play takes on several issues that still resonate today: gender in the Catholic Church, tradition versus modernism, race and sexuality.

“I want the audience to the leave the theater affected and thoughtful,” said Martin.

Secrets, gossip and accusations flourish in this gripping drama.

“I chose ‘Doubt’ because it’s a Pulitzer and Tony Award winning script powerfully challenges audiences to stop and think about topics ranging from trust and suspicion to racial issues and sexuality,” said director Jim Russell. “I want audiences to leave with questions – about the world around them, and about themselves.”

“Doubt” won five Tony Awards in 2005, including Best Play, and was adapted into a popular and Academy Award-nominated film, starring the late Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep.

“I want the audience to feel the humanity of the characters, the fundamental uncertainty that exists in every human being to some degree. It can be the thing that draws us together and tears us apart in turn,” said actress Amy C. Ragg.

The play leaves it up to the audience to decide – what do you do when you’re not sure?

“Doubt” will be performed at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and 3 p.m. Sunday. Advance tickets are available online or at the box office for $20 regular ticket and $17 senior/student and military. During its special Thursday performances, all students with ID can attend for $10 and stay for a talkback with the director and cast after the show. High school students can get volunteer hours for this talkback session. Learn more at www.carrollwoodplayers.org.

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